Lemon Bars with Nilla Wafer Crust

The classic lemon bars that you know and love, but updated with a fun twist. Instead of the traditional shortbread crust, I made a Nilla Wafer crust instead! The crust is made in one bowl too, without me having to pull out my food processor. If you are a lemon bar lover, then read on for the great recipe I have for you!

When life hands you lemons, you make…..lemon bars! Or when you are super busy and stressed out, but your husband calls you last minute to ask if you have time to whip up some lemon bars for the guys at work, you put everything aside and make lemon bars. Yeahhhhhh. Me and my inability to say no.

Making these lemon bars had been in the works for awhile, but I just had not had time to make them yet. But I made time after James asked me for these. Lemon bars are one of James’ favorite desserts, so I knew my recipe would have to live up to all the other lemon bars he has had before. And it did. Miiiiiiiiiight have been that Nilla Wafer crust I made though. The boy is a sucker for a Nilla Wafer crust hehehehe….but really. These lemon bars are super yummy!

Powdered sugar for dusting the top (use as much or as little as you like)

Instructions

1

Line a 9-inch x 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray the bottoms and sides with baking spray. Set aside.

2

PREPARE NILLA WAFER CRUST:

3

In the bowl of a stand mixer, affixed with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until creamy. Add the brown sugar and white sugar to the butter and mix on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber scraper, as needed.

4

Turn the mixer to low speed and slowly add the salt, nutmeg, vanilla extract, Nilla Wafer crumbs and flour to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix on medium until just combined. Pour dough out onto parchment paper (I used the one I lined my pan with), and flatten the dough into a disc. Place the disc of dough (still on the parchment paper) into the freezer for 15-miniutes.

5

After dough has chilled, preheat oven to 350-degrees. Remove chilled dough from the freezer and press dough into prepared pan (I just plopped my dough and parchment paper that had been in the freezer, back into the baking pan). Press the dough out in an even layer on the bottom of the pan and then place the dough in the refrigerator until oven is done heating up.

6

Bake dough crust in 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes, on until lightly browned. Remove the crust from the oven and set the pan on a wire rack to cool while you prepare the lemon curd. LEAVE THE OVEN ON!

7

PREPARE THE LEMON CURD:

8

In the bowl of a stand mixer, affixed with the whisk attachment, add the lemon juice, lemon zest and flour. Mix on medium-low until combined. Slowly add the beaten eggs, sugar and lemon extract to the mixer. Mix until combined. Pour the lemon curd over the cooled Nilla Wafer crust.

9

Return the baking pan back into the oven for 25-30 minutes. The bars are done when the center is set. Remove lemon bars from the oven and let set on the counter until cool.

10

Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving. I used a sifter to apply my sugar layer evenly on top.

Notes

Store lemon bars in the refrigerator, in an airtight container.

There’s the reason why lemon bars are dusted with a layer of powdered sugar…not the prettiest dessert yet. But just wait!

Now we get to cut into slices and enjoy!

Crunchy Nilla Wafer crust on the bottom, tart and smooth lemon curd filling in the middle and topped with a generous dusting of powdered sugar!

A whole bunch of happy firefighters got these bars! So tell me…do you like lemon desserts? Are you a lemon bar lover?

XOXO,

Kelly

If you would like to purchase the Ballard Extracts Lemon Extract that I used in this recipe, click HERE. Foodlyn sells Ballard Extracts at their online store, as well as a ton of other unique, artisan products!

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I am a self taught baker that enjoys baking from scratch and learning the science behind baking in order to create new recipes! I started this blog so I could share with you the yummy recipes I am making in my kitchen, but also to have some fun and laughs along the way!

WOW I am a really big fan of baking with lemons, these look delicious. I love that you make your own lemon curd for this recipe, shop bought is so expensive. Definitely baking these, so pinning and saving. Thanks for a great recipe. Have a wonderful weekend🙂

Hahahaha you always make me laugh! That is awesome! And love that movie BTW. My hubby and I actually dressed up as Wayne and Garth for Halloween one year hehehehe (I was Garth) 😉 Have a great weekend! XOXO

Love In My Oven

May 26, 2017 at 8:09 PM

What a great idea Kelly! Lemon bars always make me think of my Mom because she said the only time she ever binge ate an entire dessert was when she made lemon bars haha! I could definitely binge eat these!! Yum! Have a great weekend sweets! XO